Editor:
Hot paws in the summertime! Summer is here and, along with it, the Saturday market. It’s a wonderful time in Aspen, but also a very hot time. Please remember when walking your dogs that the roads are hot and can quickly burn their paws.
This is especially true at our weekly Saturday markets. This past Saturday we watched as time after time individuals walking their dogs through the market would stop to chat or look at vendor booths. They were totally oblivious to their dogs jumping from paw to paw on the hot asphalt. Think of walking barefoot on a hot road — yes, dog paws are definitely tougher than bare feet, but not as tough as people seem to think.
Our favorite local vet, Dr. Scott Dolginow, advises dog owners to be aware that dogs can be uncomfortable due to the heat of the pavement and to take precautions.
With the blessing of and encouragement from Saturday market manager Kathy Strickland, Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter will post signs at the market reminding dog owners to be aware of the heat and to protect their dogs’ paws. The Aspen Animal Shelter will also host a weekly “Cool Your Paws” station at our booth in the grass behind City Hall. We will offer dog bowls full of cold water and a patch of cool grass for dogs to sit and take the heat off.
So, enjoy the market and support our local vendors, but please remember to protect those precious dog paws.
Anne Gurchick
Board member
Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter
Comments
People get dogs so other
People get dogs so other humans will notice them, not because they care about them!